August 13, 2011

Day 85 -- Attitude

Way back when I was a business consultant, I remember a motivational speech about attitude.

The speaker used the avation term, attitude, which describes the position of a plane vis-a-vis the horizon. His point was that it's impossible to crash and burn with a positive attitude (e.g. the plane's nose above the horizon).

I don't even want to think how many years ago that was, but it stuck with me.

Flash forward to 2011 and bakery. A smile and a positive attitude will often keep you from crashing and burning when you can't be every thing to every one.

We specialize in custom celebration cakes and need between a few days and a week to accommodate most orders. We're also a small bakery, so we keep limited a inventory of ingredients, especially items we do not use every day.

So it's usually not possible to squeeze in an extra birthday cake for tomorrow.

Or one cherry pie.

Or a few cream horns.

Or a single gluten- or egg-free cake.

We do the best we can to accommodate special requests, but we simply cannot anticipate and fulfill every possible desire. We often suggest alternate items, other bakeries or caterers in town, or stores that carry specialty foods, or are open on days we are closed. We really want you to have what you want, even if we can't make it for you.

But sometimes, no matter how nice we try to be, it's still our fault. That's when I remember another favorite phrase.

Smile and wave boys, smile and wave.

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Today is day 85 of the voting marathon, officially known as the Get Back To Scratch Contest. We're competing to win a big new mixer for the bakery. We are currently in the lead but there are 8 days left to vote and we have no idea whether we are ahead by one or one thousand.

Get Back To Scratch is a movement that supports and encourages the passion of bakers and chefs. Folks who invest the time and materials bake with real flour and sugar and eggs instead of pre-prepared and par-baked items. It was created by Hobart, the folks who make large commercial mixers. The movement is supported and promoted by an online network of culinary and baking professionals, including Buddy Vallestro, TLC's Cake Boss.